Do tech dollars help kids learn?

Utah spends millions on computer technology, bringing labs and laptops, processors and PowerPoint presentations to the state's students.

But a growing debate among educators and critics shows it is unclear what Utah gets for these technology dollars — and school officials acknowledge no scientific evidence demonstrates computers help students master the basics or improve test scores.

Anecdotal information from kids and teachers shows technology money gets a big bang for its buck, but officials have no proof, said Rick Gaisford, Utah's education technology specialist for the State Office of Education.

"We don't have an actual study that says this," he says.

In the race to bring students into the age of technology, cash-strapped schools face a multimillion-dollar question: Will the investment in computers really yield better educated students?

Educators today say they don't have hard evidence yet on this ques-

tion. But a number of teachers interviewed this week say there is no question that teaching technology productively keeps students interested and engaged in learning.

On a recent day in the Granite School District, colorful computer pictures had the full attention of a group of students huddled around laptop computers at Pioneer Elementary School.

The fourth-graders giggled and gasped as they downloaded digital pictures from a field trip to the Great Salt Lake. Pictures of birds, sand and scenery — even photos the students took of each other sleeping on the bus.

The young people were making a PowerPoint presentation, selecting graphics and nuggets of sound. Fourth-grader Austin Hudson proclaimed his favorite part: "Putting the pictures in the thing and listening to the sounds."

"Oh that one!" said Chelsea Delgado, as she chose a graphic effect that folds one computer image into the next. "That one is cool!"

Teachers say they don't need evidence to see the excitement computers generate in their classrooms.

"My kids never lose their enthusiasm," says Shauna Starr, Pioneer Elementary's fourth-grade teacher. "Definitely, definitely. It's the education of tomorrow. It's preparing students for this century."

Under the direction of Gov. Mike Leavitt, education leaders have made computers a top priority.